The First-Timer’s Backpacking Guide: Everything You Need To Make Your First Trip A Success

Everyone seems to be into camping these days. In fact, according to the 2021 North American Camping Report, the number of active US households (meaning households that identify as campers, but may not necessarily camp each year) grew by a record 3.9 million in 2020.

All that’s to say, your favorite campground is likely fuller than usual and may be booked up months in advance. 

One alternative to established campgrounds is hiking into the wilderness and setting up camp there.

In a nutshell, backpacking is the act of hiking to camp — with everything you’ll need packed away tight on your back.  

Your backpack is your copilot on any backpacking adventure, so you need to choose wisely. I use the North Face’s Women’s Terra 45 Pack, which they don’t seem to make in the US anymore. That said, they do have it in a larger size. Meet the North Face’s Women’s Terra 55 Pack (the 55 means it carries 55 liters worth of gear). 

A 45 or 55 liter bag isn’t too bulky and is big enough for a multi-day backpacking trip. The secret is making sure the pack fits your body — there’s nothing worse than carrying around a bag that chafes your shoulders with each step.

If you’re like me, and you like to keep your bag organized (you will be living out of it, after all), checkout the PackStack packing pods. They’re basically little zippered compartments that organize your gear into cubes within your backpack. 

Most outdoor brands have backpacking-specific gear that is extra small and lightweight. Down sleeping bags are always worth the extra buck (IMO). They’re lightweight and pack down super small. You’ll want to make sure you get a sleeping bag that fits the style of backpacking you’re planning to do. I live at a high altitude, so warmth is key. My bag, which they no longer make, has a temperature rating of 0 degrees so I can use it for cold-weather camping.

Another secret to staying warm (and comfortable) is a good camping mattress. I use the Therm-a-Rest ProLite pad, which is their lightest self-inflating mattress. You just open the nozzle and it inflates while you’re setting up camp.

And finally, the tent. Your tent will take up the most space, so going with a small, lightweight version is going to be the way to go (always try and share a tent with a backpacking buddy, if possible). I have an older version of this tent from Mountain Hardware and love it.

If you’re going on a multi-night trip, you’re not going to be able to lug around a lot of food (and you’ll have no way to keep it cool). Enter dehydrated camping meals. All you do is boil water, pour it into the packet, and wait while your meal comes to life. 

I personally alternate between ReadyWise and Good To-Go meals for dinner. And for breakfast, I make my own instant oat mix with nuts and dried fruit. Lunch is usually pre-made PB&J and an energy bar. 

A Jetboil is a must for backpackers (their MicroMo system is probably the best for backpacking). Basically it’s a travel-mug-looking thing that connects to a canister of fuel. It boils water in minutes and can also warm soups, sauté greens, cook pasta, and a whole lot more (recipes here).

In addition to a Jetboil, I usually bring a mug for coffee and a spoon for slurping up your morning oats and evening meal. 

I get serious water anxiety out on the trail, so I’ve thought of and tried a handful of different water filters. My favorite by far is the Steripen. It’s a little wand that uses UV to kill bacteria in water in 90 seconds or less. 

I always bring two Nalgene bottles (they work best with the Steripen) that I fill up and decontaminate as I go. Note: Make sure there is a stream or clear body of water along your route, the Steripen doesn’t work on cloudy, sediment-ridden water.

As a backup (again, I get really stressed about water), I often bring Aquatabs.

I’m a minimalist when it comes to backpacking, I like my pack to be as light as possible. That said, I do own a REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair (it’s just over 1 pound) and I’ve seen friends who pack along a Therm-a-Rest Z Seat, which is basically a little pad you sit on. You can also bring (and even sleep in) a camping hammock.

And if you happen to have extra space, the BioLite AlpenGlow lantern makes cooking, hanging around the campfire, and reading in your tent infinitely more enjoyable (it can last for 200 hours and is water resistant). 

Oh, and I almost always my kindle.

Remember, you’re backpacking in the wilderness, so it really doesn’t matter what you look like (or smell like). I typically bring one pair of hiking clothes, long pants for hanging at camp, and enough clean socks and underwear to last the trip. Depending on the weather, a rain jacket, winter hat, down jacket, sunglasses, and sun hat can be key.

I usually bring my Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie (it packs down small and is super warm), a pair of Dragon sunglasses (they’re durable, cute, and they have styles that float!). 

A couple tips: wool socks are best and you can hang your hiking gear to dry and air out at camp.

Even a minimal packer like me knows that wearing your hiking boots around camp is miserable (or worse yet, trying to put them on when you have to pee in the middle of the night). A pair of sandals will give your feet a rest and let you air out your hiking boots at camp. 

I have a pair of Eva sandals from Birkenstock that are perfect. They’re lightweight, comfy, and easy to take on and off. 

A headlamp is a must (I use this one by Black Diamond) and depending on the weather, sunscreen and mosquito repellant might be a lifesaver. A lightweight camping towel (like this one I use) will go a long way toward making you feel like a human on day 3 of your trip.

If a working phone is important to you, keep it warm in a thermal sleeve (cold sucks the battery) and pack along a power bank.

There are a ton of emergency backpacking kits you can buy online, but I prefer to make my own. Inside it, I have:

– an emergency blanket

– fire starter (dryer lint and Vaseline) in a pill bottle

– a lighter and matches 

– Tylenol / ibuprofen

– trail marking tape (wrapped around the lighter)

– duct tape for blisters (wrapped around a straw)

– a Swiss Army knife

– toilet paper

– Pedialyte

– alcohol pads

Fire regulations are always changing — often several times a month — so before you head into the wilderness, make sure you can even have a fire.

In high-traffic areas, you’ll need to buy or make your own poop kit. Basically the idea is that you pack out your waste. 

In other areas, you might be able to pack along a lightweight trowel, TP, and a baggie for used TP (or you can burn it). If you go with this method, you’ll need to dig a 6-8 inch deep hole that’s at least 200 steps from any water source and bury your waste.

The seven principals of Leave No Trace are:

– Plan ahead and prepare.

– Travel and camp on durable surfaces.

– Dispose of waste properly.

– Leave what you find.

– Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).

– Respect wildlife.

– Be considerate of other visitors.